Rivanna River Regatta Charlottesville - Race Information

Charlottesville area recreational canoe and kayak paddlers who support the annual Rivanna River Regatta canoe and kayak races. Our goal is to promote recreation, conservation, and sportsmanship through paddling on the Rivanna.

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Thank you to all who paddled and/or volunteered to make this year's race a success! We had a record number of paddlers this year and, as always, we ask for your feedback on how this race can be improved.

Friday, April 22, 2016

On May 4, Wednesday at 10 am we'll be sending
a debris and sweep clearing crew down this stretch of the river. If
you can help, please come. We'll likely need a chainsaw (or two) to
shorten some of the sweeps and we'll pick-up trash along the way. Gabe
Silver will be there with his trailer load of canoes and kayaks so if
you want to use one, then, e-mail RivannaRiverCompany@gmail.com and make your needs known. Bring a few large trash bags, leather gloves, perhaps a shovel, and I'll throw in a coil of rope.

On May 7, Saturday at 9 am,
we'll have an orientation flotilla headed down this 6.2 mile course
departing from the 29 North Put-In right there at the stoplight at 29
North and Rio Mills Rd. We'll have a number of "newbys" exploring this
stretch of the river for the first time. I've also invited some of the
"press" to "paddle" along and possibly get some "action" shots in the
two, Class II rapids. Please respond so we'll be able to arrange photo
Ops for them. If you need a canoe, again, contact Gabe.

Friday, March 18, 2016

The 11th annual Rivanna River Regatta Canoe & Kayak Races will be held Saturday, May 14, 2016. Racers to assemble starting ~8:00am for registration. First race starts promptly at 10am. Mandatory safety meeting at 9am.

Racers may be started together at 10am sharp or there may be several heats. Race Coordinator reserves the right to combine or eliminate categories depending upon the number of paddlers in each category on race day.

Where? Paddlers assemble at registration/start line under the Route 29 bridge north of Charlottesville (just north of the DoubleTree Hotel/Sam’s Club on the upstream side of the bridge off Rio Mills Road.)

Race finish line is 6.2 miles later at the boat ramp in Darden Towe Park on the east side of Charlottesville. First place paddlers may finish by approx. 10:45am. Awards ceremony will be held at Darden Towe boat ramp shortly after the last racer completes the race (estimated 12:30-1pm.)

$20 entrance fee per adult, $10 age 13-18, $5 kids under 13. All kayakers and canoers welcome. Race course includes Class II—II+ rapids. Paddle at your own risk. (Signed waiver forms required.) Public spectators welcomed and encouraged at the finish line at Darden Towe Park.

Boat rentals ($10) and free shuttle provided by Rivanna River Company. Please contact them directly before the end of business, Thursday, May 12 to make arrangements.
www.RivannaRiverCompany.com
(434) 218-2052
RivannaRiverCompany@gmail.com

Categories will be consistent with previous years, pending the number and types of crafts that enter on race day.Canoeists may only use single-blade paddles for competition.Approved PFD's must be worn.

Preparation/Test Runs: On
the afternoon of May 1 through just before dark on May 3, the gate to this 29
North Put-In will be open and paddlers are encourage to make this 6.2 mile run
to get acquainted with the rapids. On
Saturday May 2, a flotilla of veteran paddlers/workers will start down at 10:00
am with their primary “duty” to clear any fallen trees or other obstructions to
river navigation. This is a great time
of beginners to accompany these veterans down this stretch of the river. They may even want to pick up their craft,
carry it back up stream and make additional runs through the different
rapids.

Friday, March 20, 2015

Where: Charlottesville, VA under the Route 29 bridge just north of the DoubleTree Hotel/Sam’s Club on the upstream side of the bridge off Rio Mills Road

What: A 6.2 mile downriver race for all paddler classes.

Cost: $15 per Craft

Save the date! Saturday, May 9, 2015 for the 10th annual Rivanna River downriver canoe & kayak race in Charlottesville, VA. The downriver race will follow the same schedule as previous years... 6.2-mile downriver race. Racers to assemble starting at 8:30am for registration. First race starts promptly at 10am.Racers may be started together at 10am sharp or there may be several heats depending upon the number of participants. Race Coordinator reserves the right to combine or eliminate categories depending upon the number of paddlers in each category on race day.

First place paddlers may finish by approx. 10:45am. Awards ceremony will be held at Darden Towe boat ramp shortly after the last racer completes the race (estimated 12:30-1pm.)

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Where: Charlottesville, VA under the Route 29 bridge just north of the DoubleTree Hotel/Sam’s Club on the upstream side of the bridge off Rio Mills Road

What: A 6.2 mile downriver race for all paddler classes.

Cost: $10 per Craft

Save the date! Saturday May 10, 2014 for the 9th annual Rivanna River downriver canoe & kayak race in Charlottesville, VA. The downriver race will follow the same schedule as previous years... 6.2-mile downriver race. Racers to assemble starting at 8:30am for registration. First race starts promptly at 10am.
Racers may be started together at 10am sharp or there may be several heats depending upon the number of participants. Race Coordinator reserves the right to combine or eliminate categories depending upon the number of paddlers in each category on race day.

First place paddlers may finish by approx. 10:45am. Awards ceremony will be held at Darden Towe boat ramp shortly after the last racer completes the race (estimated 12:30-1pm.)

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Thank you to everyone who came out last Saturday to make the 8th Rivanna River race a success! The water was up yet at a good level this year. The results have been posted at: http://www.cvillepaddlers.com/races

Once again, we thank Merrill Bishop for organizing such a great event! Thanks, Merrill!!

And finally, if you have any photos from the event, please share them by sending to dave [@} cvillepaddlers.com.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Save the date! Saturday May 11, 2013 for the 8th annual Rivanna River downriver canoe & kayak race in Charlottesville, VA. The downriver race will follow the same schedule as previous years...

6.2-mile downriver race:Racers to assemble starting at 8:30am for registration. First race starts promptly at 10am.

Racers may be started together at 10am sharp or there may be several heats depending upon the number of participants. Race Coordinator reserves the right to combine or eliminate categories depending upon the number of paddlers in each category on race day.Classes*:Kayak >16' maleKayak >16' femaleKayak </=16' maleKayak </=16' femaleSolo canoe maleSolo canoe femaleTandem canoe maleTandem canoe femaleTandem canoe mixedTandem kayak maleTandem kayak femaleTandem kayak mixedMale SUP (stand up paddleboard)Female SUPSolo short/stubby/whitewater kayaks (male & female) that do not appear to the Race Coordinator to be competitive in the "recreational," less than 16' categories* Race classes and assignments are determined by the race officials. Where there is inadequate participation in a class it may be combined with a class of similar character. There are many different styles and types of boats and it can be difficult to group "like" boats together to ensure that all boats in the same class are competitive with each other. There are many factors that include length, width, and hull shape, just to name a few. The race officials do their best to get boats into the class which is most appropriate and their decisions are final.

Where?Paddlers assemble at registration/start line under the Route 29 bridge north of Charlottesville (just north of the DoubleTree Hotel/Sam’s Club on the upstream side of the bridge off Rio Mills Road.) Race finish line is 6.2 miles later at the boat ramp in Darden Towe Park on the east side of Charlottesville. First place paddlers may finish by approx. 10:45am. Awards ceremony will be held at Darden Towe boat ramp shortly after the last racer completes the race (estimated 12:30-1pm.)

$10 entrance fee (per craft, one winning medal for tandem crafts.) All kayakers and canoers welcome. Race course includes Class II—II+ rapids. Paddle at your own risk. (Signed waivers required.) Public spectators welcomed and encouraged at the finish line at Darden Towe Park.

Please keep an eye on this site for more information and updates!THE RULES1. All participants must wear Coast Guard approved life vests.2. All participants are required to give aid to any boater in danger.3. Paddlers are strongly encouraged to wear whitewater helmets for their protection.4. Paddlers are encouraged to run the race course sometime before the actual race as there can be a few Class II - Class II+ rapids depending upon the water level.